Top Brands

Outdoor Research: The Brand Story

6/07/2018 5:45 pm

by Bogong Equipment

Anne Skidmore Photography.

Outdoor Research was born out of a passion for the outdoors, which is why this authentic, North America-based brand continues to produce relevant equipment and clothing for climbers, skiers and other outdoor enthusiasts.

The Beginning

Outdoor Research was founded by a mountaineer and physicist called Ron Gregg. Ron was climbing Denali when his climbing partner suffered severe frostbite, partly due to badly designed gaiters. After Ron and his friend returned safely, Ron created the X-Gaiter. A year later, Outdoor Research was born.

Image: Bogong Equipment owner Neil Blundy on a recent trip to Austria, wearing his beloved OR hat and gaiters.

Pioneering Gear

Over the following years, Outdoor Research produced a suite of pioneering equipment, ranging from waterproof stuff sacks, waterproof soft shell gloves to WindStopper fleece hats and more. Today, Outdoor Research is still famous for its classic outdoor hats, technical gloves and, of course, Outdoor Research gaiters.

Staying True to its Roots

In March 2003, Ron Gregg, Outdoor Research's founder and driving force, died in an avalanche while skiing British Columbia's backcountry. His passing led his heirs to make the painful decision to sell the company. As luck would have it, Outdoor Research was bought by a Seattle native called Dan Nordstrom – an alpinist, skier and bike racer – allowing Outdoor Research to stay in the hands of outdoor enthusiasts driven by passion.

Image: Climber Will Stanhope. Tara Atkinson Photography

Leading the Way

Outdoor Research supports a variety of organisations including the Access Fund, Leave No Trace, The American Alpine Club, Women's Wilderness and more. The outdoor brands has even started its own brand initiative: #SheAdventures, which is dedicated to empowering a community of outdoor women. Outdoor Research's scholarship program helps give women the education, technical skills and pathways to achieve their biggest goals.

Bogong Equipment is proud to stock Outdoor Research in our store in Melbourne. We've handpicked the products that our staff believe are the most relevant to users here in Australia.